Tuscola woman killed in mishap

Stacy Langley

Published
8:00 pm EDT, Wednesday, September 8, 2004

According to Tuscola County Undersheriff James Jashinske, the driver of the pickup truck, Daniel Welch, was attempting to drive the 1997 Chevy pickup truck onto portable ramps in the driveway in front of a pole barn at 5130 Maier Road.

A press release from Jashinske reports that Welch's wife, Patricia, was standing in front of the truck guiding her husband onto the ramps to change the oil just before 4 p.m. Tuesday when the ramps began to skid. The vehicle then fully accelerated, striking Patricia Welch and carrying her about 70 feet.

The truck continued to travel forward into the pole barn and out the back pole barn wall and through the yard. The truck finally came to rest in a field adjacent to the Welch property.

Tuscola County Sheriff's deputies were assisted at the scene by Mayville Ambulance Service, MMR.

Jashinski reports the pickup truck was impounded by the sheriff's department to be inspected for any mechanical defects. The accident remains under investigation.